Ask almost any designer about their process and the phrase “mood board” is bound to come up. And no, we're not talking about a Pinterest board, but rather a real-life assemblage of swatches and photos that forms the basis of a picture-perfect space. “The Internet is great for inspiration, but in terms of translating a vision into reality, a physical board is critical,” says Rebecca Atwood, home goods designer and author of the new book Living with Pattern (Clarkson Potter). “I like that you can see a board in your periphery even while you’re doing other things—and as you live with it, you can make tweaks, pare down, and figure out what’s really working.” Here are her tips for pulling together a mood board that results in a fabulous space.

Find your inspiration points

Atwood recommends starting with images from magazines and websites to establish an overarching vision. While Pinterest is a natural starting point, it can also be overwhelming. To save yourself hours of hopeless scrolling, follow a few key tastemakers and design publications you like rather than searching for a broad term like “kitchen renovation” (which will deliver a near-infinite number of results). After a couple of weeks of searching, print out your favorite photos and add them to any tears and fabric swatches you’ve collected.

Expand your scope

Look beyond interiors for what appeals to you visually, says Atwood. Inspiration for a room can come from anywhere—even a pair of shoes or a shell you found on the beach. “I have a terra-cotta mug with white stripes, for instance, that could inspire a whole bathroom,” she says. “If you have a little space to set up a mood board, place some 3-D objects next to it that have the vibe or colors you want in the room.”

Don’t rush the process

“For a big project, I give myself a week or two at least to collect ideas, and two weeks to edit,” says Atwood. “The point of a mood board is to see how things relate, if there’s a good conversation happening.” Each time you visit the mood board, she says, you’ll come back to it with a fresh eye and find ways to pare it down or change it up. “A room is something you’re going to live with for a long time, so giving yourself a long exploration period is important.”

FOLLOW US

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 1/2/2014) and Privacy Policy (effective 1/2/2014). Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Your California Privacy Rights (effective 1/2/2014). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Condé Nast.